The highly anticipated second season ofWolf Hallhas arrived almost a decade after the first season on the BBC, and it incorporates historical figures, including Mary Tudor, the daughter of Henry VIII. This follows theBBC’s first-look images ofWolf Hallseason 2, which further built anticipation. The show delves intoThomas Cromwell’s influential role in the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII, a period marked by political intrigue, religious upheaval, and personal tragedy. As the series unfolds, viewers are confronted with the stark reality of power and its potential for destruction. One of the most shocking moments in the opening episode is Henry’s threat to execute his own daughter, Mary, played by Lilit Lesser.
This chilling display of royal authority underscores the lengths to which Henry will go. Viewers are drawn into a gripping narrative of familial conflict, political maneuvering, and the high stakes of defying a king. Mary Tudor, often remembered as “Bloody Mary,”is a complex and controversial figure in English history.Mary’s life was shaped by the tumultuous events of the Tudor era. In addition toAnne Boleyn’s execution recap inWolf Hall’s season 2 opening,Mary Tudor is a key focus. Her legitimacy, a constant theme throughout her life, was central to the tensions of the episode.
Mary Tudor Was The Child Of Henry VIII And Catherine Of Aragon
Mary Was Born Of A Marriage Made In Good Faith But Overturned With A Key Motive
Viewers would be forgiven for being taken aback at Mary’s illegitimacy, as she was conceived during his marriage to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.The answer lies in Henry’s annulment of his marriage to Catherine. Catholicism did not allow him to divorce, which he desperately wanted to do to marry Anne Boleyn. However, Catherine was previously married to Henry’s brother, Arthur, briefly. Despite her claim that the marriage was never consummated and her resistance to the annulment due to her strong Catholic faith, her previous marriage to his brother technically made her Henry’s sister, rendering their marriage illegitimate.
Henry pursued the annulment for seven years, having become obsessed with Anne Boleyn in 1526. He finally annulled his marriage to Catherine in 1533, married Anne, and declared Mary illegitimate in the same year. This is where the question of the legitimacy of his progeny comes in. Today, in our increasingly secular society, we recognize that a marriage can be dissolved, and a subsequent marriage is equally valid. This was not shared by the Tudors, ultimately complicating Mary’s legitimacy. Henry established the Church of England with the Supremacy Act in 1534, breaking away from Catholicism and disempowering the Pope.
Religious tensions are also a focus in the acclaimed Starz seriesThe Serpent Queenwhich has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
In the Catholic Church, there were only two grounds for divorce: consanguinity (being too closely related) and annulment. An annulment declared a marriage null and void but was distinct from divorce. As Henry VIII was never granted a Catholic divorce, Mary remained legitimate. However, perhaps under pressure from Anne Boleyn – which was commonplace for stepmothers at the time –Henry sought to elevate the status of his future children. In 1533, an Act of Parliament formally declared Mary illegitimate, reducing her title from Princess to Lady Mary.
Mary Wants To Be Recognized As A Legitimate Princess In Wolf Hall
Mary Seems To Be Aware What A Threat She Is In Season 2, Episode 1
The events ofWolf Hallseason 2 are three years after Mary was declared illegitimate. In the first episode,Mary has been arguing for her legitimacy as a Princess. It is Thomas Cromwell’s mission to talk her out of this rebellion and sign a document accepting her illegitimacy. The tension in the episode is that Henry may go to the extreme of executing his own daughter, following the execution of Anne Boleyn and marriage to Jane Seymour a fortnight later. Thomas Cromwell appeals to Mary to give up her rebellion to save her life.
Interestingly,Wolf Hallhas Cromwell telling [Mary] not to read the papers when he hands them to her to sign…
Henry reconciled with Mary, providing her with a suitable household and considering future marriage alliances. She became godmother to Jane Seymour’s son Prince Edward.Despite reuniting with Henry, her illegitimate status limited her freedom(Britannica). Interestingly,Wolf Hallshows Cromwell telling her not to read the papers when he hands them to her to sign, as this means she can repudiate them later. This is not true of history, however. Lady Mary did read Cromwell’s suggested letter clarifying her acceptance and sent back“the same, word for word; and it is unsealed, because I cannot endure to write another copy”(British History).
Mary Was Not The Only Child To Be Removed From The Line Of Succession
Her Half Sister Elizabeth Was Also Stripped Of Her Title
Following Anne Boleyn’s death,Henry and Anne’s daughter Elizabeth was also stripped of her title. Just as Mary’s illegitimacy was to elevate the legitimacy of Anne’s children, Elizabeth’s illegitimacy was declared to elevate the legitimacy of Jane Seymour’s. This reinforces the crushing burden of dynastic expectations at the time. Building the myth of legitimacy for his family with a tenuous claim to the throne was Henry VII’s plight, which Henry VIII would have witnessed, contributing to the force behind his decision-making. Elizabeth was only a toddler when her mother was executed and her reduced from Princess to Lady.
7 Best Movies About Queen Elizabeth I (& 6 Great Shows)
Queen Elizabeth I’s reign hasn’t ended in Hollywood. If you enjoy royalty & court intrigue, you’ll love these movies & shows about the Virgin Queen.
Until Jane Seymour gave birth to a son, Elizabeth was kept out of the public eye, living a secluded life with a small household at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire (HRP) before her return to court in 1537. Still, she endured years of neglect until Catherine Parr, Henry’s last wife, took charge of her education.Elizabeth’s title was restored at age 10, along with Mary’s. Catherine Parr is often given credit for bringing the family back together, having been influential on Henry’s decision to pass the Third Succession Act in 1543.
Mary’s Submission To The Church Of England Was Essential
Her Submission To Henry’s Demands Was A Move For Survival
There is plenty of gripping drama to come as far as Mary is concerned – it cannot be understated how much Mary had to give up. Formally, she had to give up the Mass, acknowledge the English Protestant Church, deny papal authority, and become a lady-in-waiting to her infant half-sister, Elizabeth.Mary was also forced to cease contact with her mother, although they continued to correspond secretly until Catherine’s death in 1536. With this context in mind, it is easy to see why Mary initially fought it so fiercely – but, as the episode ofWolf Hallshows, it endangered her life.
However,Mary would not always submit to the Church of England. Throughout her life, she defiantly insisted on practicing her Catholic faith, including holding her own Mass in her private chapel. Edward VI succeeded Henry VIII, but his reign was brief. Following his death in 1553, an attempt was made to install Lady Jane Grey as queen. However, this only lasted a few days, as Mary quickly asserted her claim with initial public support. According toThe History Press,Mary’s fight for her crown was“the only successful revolt against government in sixteenth-century England.”
10 Best TV Shows Like Starz’s The Serpent Queen
From Victoria and The White Queen to The Crown, discover the best period dramas to watch alongside Starz’s The Serpent Queen.
Mary’s determination to restore the supremacy of the Pope led to widespread discontent. Her marriage to Philip of Spain further alienated the public.Mary responded to Protestant opposition with ruthless force. In 1555, she reinstated harsh heresy laws, leading to the martyrdom of over 300 Protestants. This earned her the infamous title of “Bloody Mary.” Her reign was cut short by stomach cancer in 1558. As she lay dying, she knew that her half-sister Elizabeth would undo her efforts to reconcile England with Rome (Fitz Museum).
Her eventual ascension to the throne and subsequent reign as a devout Catholic would lead to a period of intense religious persecution and martyrdom.
Mary’s submission to the Church of England, as depicted inWolf Hall, was a pivotal moment that set the stage for the religious turmoil that would define the latter part ofthe Tudor era. Her eventual ascension to the throne and subsequent reign as a devout Catholic would lead to a period of intense religious persecution and martyrdom.The seeds of conflict sown during Henry VIII’s reign would continue to bear fruit, shaping the religious landscape of England for generations to come.
